In the aftermath of Rush Limbaugh's controversial comments about Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke, several companies pulled their advertising from his radio program. On March 3rd, Rush did something I don't believe he's ever done when faced with backlash from any of the outrageous statements he's made... he offered an apology. At least it's the closest he could come to one.
Posted on Rush's website is his "apology":
"For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity,
three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the
wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal
attack on Ms. Fluke.
I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious
political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational
activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that
American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened
to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the
line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be
debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that
are interested in running to keep fit?In my monologue, I posited that it
is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's
bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential
level.
My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be
humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke
for the insulting word choices."Rush's apology rings false because after his initial Wednesday February 29th attack against Ms. Fluke, he hurled additional verbal bombs at her on Thursday and Friday. It was only after a number of advertisers started to abandon ship that he saw the error of his ways. Apparently, his "apology" hasn't stopped the bleeding because another advertiser, Carbonite, pulled their ads from his show. After dropping Limbaugh's program, Carbonite CEO David Friend said the following: "No one with daughters the age of Sandra Fluke, and I have two, could
possibly abide the insult and abuse heaped upon this courageous and
well-intentioned young lady. Mr. Limbaugh, with his highly personal
attacks on Miss Fluke, overstepped any reasonable bounds of decency.
Even though Mr. Limbaugh has now issued an apology, we have nonetheless
decided to withdraw our advertising from his show. We hope that our
action, along with the other advertisers who have already withdrawn
their ads, will ultimately contribute to a more civilized public
discourse."While writing this post, I learned that
another company (Pro Flowers) yanked their ads from Limbaugh's show on
March 4th. Props to all the companies who have finally had enough of
Limbaugh's "entertainment". If you'd like to let the companies still advertising on Rush's program know that you don't approve of his misogyny, below is one of the sites where you can make your voice heard. CREDO actionLet me close by saying that the Limbaugh/Fluke controversy isn't a left vs. right issue to me. Even if one disagrees with Ms. Fluke's stance that health insurance plans should cover the cost of birth control, I don't see how they can defend Rush's despicable attacks against her. As always, I like to hear from people with opposing viewpoints. I'd especially like to hear from any female conservatives who read this post.
Sandra Fluke's testimony:
I was on another site that asked if black people and women in particular should be offended by what John Mayer said in his Playboy interview that sparked some debate.
The highlights of what he said (and mind you dude had a whole lot to say in that piece).
“…it’s sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a nigger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, “I can’t really have a hood pass. I’ve never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, ‘We’re full.’”
“…it’s sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a nigger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, “I can’t really have a hood pass. I’ve never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, ‘We’re full.’”
Now let me be put on record as saying this dude's ego is GARGANTUAN!!!
The balls on this dude are a sight to behold!
I thought I could be a grade A douche but this guy right here..........
But that at worst is all he is in my eyes, I looked at the context of what he said with the N word and I can not bring my self to be offended.
You can argue if he should have used the word, which he shouldn't have, but you cant argue about his "pass" black people have been handing out black cards to anyone of another race who acts like he can sit in a room full of black people and not squirm.
Remember Bill Clinton was the first "Black" President, I didn't give him that title but there was some sorry black who did because he gave off the appearance of addressing the needs of black people and acted like he listened.
Mayer has been cosigned by black artist who have appeared on his records and he vice verse, giving hime the street cred he wants so he can be hip and they getting a door open to "white" money.
No that is a symbiotic relationship right there.
The black women part....ehh here is the whole little bit he said on the subject,
PLAYBOY: Do black women throw themselves at you?
MAYER: I don't think I open myself to it. My d**k [penis] is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a Benetton heart and a fu**in' David Duke c**k [another word for penis]. I'm going to start dating separately from my d**k (penis again).
PLAYBOY: Let's put some names out there. Let's get specific.
MAYER: I always thought Holly Robinson Peete was gorgeous. Every white dude loved Hilary from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." And Kerry Washington. She's superhot, and she's also white-girl crazy. Kerry Washington would break your heart like a white girl. Just all of a sudden she'd be like, "Yeah, I sucked his d**k [penis yet another time]. Whatever." And you'd be like, "What? We weren't talking about that." That's what "Heartbreak Warfare" is all about, when a girl uses jealousy as a tactic.
This is t a little tough for me because unlike a lot of people out there I do not believe who you sleep with is a litmus test of your racial tolerance because you are attracted to your own kind does not mark you as the Grand Wizard of the KKK in my mind.
And because you like to give it to someone of anther race does not make you the second coming of MLK.
I think history has taught us that much.
So I cant work myself up to give this dude even a half a scowl.
No the real problem here isn't Mayer it’s black people, there is such a thing as a hood pass and there are fools giving them out with out vetting the person there giving it too.
There the ones cosigning and allowing the use of the word by whites because their buddies and everyone acts shock when things are taken too far.
There the hypocrites who call out a white dude for saying what some BLACK men have been saying, black men who they sit with and chat it up and call friends.
I didn't hear jack out their mouths when Young Berg came out his neck with I don't like dark Butts crack, or when Dave Chappelle talks side ways with the N word, ?uestlove genius ass sparked a race debate at the studios he worked for that got blamed on white people.
Naw, John Mayer ain't got jack to apologise for as usual it’s certain black people who keep throwing shade on themselves who need to be saying sorry.
John Mayer just has a big ego and I thank him for speaking his mind.
It's official... Rush Limbaugh has been dropped by the Checketts group, the individuals attempting to purchase the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. It's funny how karma can quickly bite you in the ass. Less than 2 weeks ago, Limbaugh and scores of others on the right put on a disgusting display by laughing and cheering over Chicago's failed bid to land the 2016 Summer Olympics. Do you think Rush and the rest of them are laughing now?
Update: Here is a clip from the talk show "The Young Turks" which includes segments from "The Rush Limbaugh Show". In it, he discusses being denied by the NFL and attempts to explain the 2007 "Bloods and Crips" comment he made about NFL players. As I said in the previous post about Limbaugh's bid to purchase the Rams, part of me hoped he did get rejected because it would show that being a race-baiting, sexist scumbag has its consequences. The Young Turks do an excellent job of elaborating on this point.
For more on Limbaugh getting drop kicked from the Checketts group, click here.
As many of you know, Rush Limbaugh is part of a group attempting to purchase the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. If the bid is approved, it appears that Rush would be a limited partner who wouldn't be actually running the team. However, due to the fact that Rush is such a polarizing figure who's made several controversial statements, many people are opposing his bid to buy the Rams. Over the past few days, there have been racist quotes attributed to Rush that many (including him) are deeming false. Since there appears to be no way to prove their validity, I'm not including them here. If someone has planted racist quotes and falsely pinned them to Rush in an effort to smear him, that's flat out wrong and unfortunate because there are plenty of statements made by him over the years that can't be denied. Below are just a few of the gems that have come from the mouth of Limbaugh on his radio show:
Limbaugh's 2003 comments about Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb:
"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."
On the recent beating of a white kid by two black kids aboard a school bus:
"It's Obama's America is it not? Obama's America white kids getting beat up on school buses now. You put your kids on a school bus you expect safety but in Obama's America the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering 'yeah, right on, right on, right on right on.' And of course everybody said the white kid deserved it he was born a racist, he's white.
On why blacks have failed to progress in the U.S.:
"We thought that it was just liberal welfare policies and all that that kept blacks from progressing while other minorities grew and prospered, but no, it is these wackos from Bill Ayers to Jeremiah Wright to other anti-American Afrocentric black liberation theologists with ACORN, and Barack Obama is smack dab in the middle of it, they have been training young black kids to hate, hate, hate this country, and they trained their parents before that to hate, hate, hate this country."
On feminism and Hillary Clinton's 2008 Presidential bid:
And if they -- you know, if Hillary doesn't get it -- you have to understand the mindset of a lot of these feminists and women. They think they're owed this -- just like Obama supporters think they're owed this. These women have paid their dues. They've been married two or three times; they've had two or three abortions; they've done everything that feminism asked them to do. They have cut men out of their lives; they have devoted themselves to causes and careers. And this -- the candidacy of Hillary Clinton -- is the culmination of all of these women's efforts. And if it gets stolen from them, in their minds -- not actually stolen, but if the country or if the Democrat [sic] Party rejects this wonderfully great, lying woman in exchange for a rookie, radical black guy who can't tell the time of day, they are going to be so miffed.
On Michael J. Fox's 2006 appearance in a political ad:
Now, this is Michael J. Fox. He's got Parkinson's disease. And in this commercial, he is exaggerating the effects of the disease. He is moving all around and shaking. And it's purely an act. This is the only time I have ever seen Michael J. Fox portray any of the symptoms of the disease he has. I know he's got it and he's raising money for it, but when I've seen him in public, I've never seen him betray any of the symptoms. But this commercial, he -- he's just all over the place. He can barely control himself.
Here are a couple of quotes from NFL players on the prospect of Limbaugh becoming an NFL team owner.
New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott:
I know I wouldn't want to play for him. He's a jerk. He's an ---. What he said (about Donovan McNabb) was inappropriate and insensitive, totally off-base. He could offer me whatever he wanted, I wouldn't play for him. ... I wouldn't play for Rush Limbaugh. My principles are greater and I can't be bought."
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka:
All I know is from the last comment I heard, he said in (President) Obama's America, white kids are getting beat up on the bus while black kids are chanting 'right on. I mean, I don't want anything to do with a team that he has any part of. He can do whatever he wants, it is a free country. But if it goes through, I can tell you where I am not going to play."
"I am not going to draw a conclusion from a person off of one comment, but when it is time after time after time and there's a consistent pattern of disrespect and just a complete misunderstanding of an entire culture that I am a part of, I can't respect him as a man."
To the best of my knowledge, none of the St. Louis Rams have come forward with their thoughts on the possibility of Limbaugh purchasing the team.
Of course, Rush has the right to purchase the team. Having said that, the NFL also has the right to block his bid. Part of me hopes the NFL does reject Rush because it would show him and the world that being a race baiting, sexist scumbag has its consequences. On the other hand, there are a couple of reasons why I hope he is allowed to buy the Rams. For one thing, we'd see whether or not any current or future St. Louis Rams who are anti-Limbaugh are willing to put money aside and stand up for their principles. Secondly, if the NFL does block his bid, it would allow Rush to pull the victim card out of his stacked deck and starting ranting about how he was done such a great injustice. The bottom line is that however this story plays out, Rush wins.
When I was younger me and the fellas would hang outside and catcall all the pretty girls that would walk by.
It was what young guys who had absolutely no game about themselves and nothing better to do did to try to get the attention of young women.
It is always done in groups where courage against what you didn't understand can be drawn from your buddies.
Back then the idea was to be funny, charming, persuading a girl to give you the attention you wanted and eventually those digits.
Rejection was part of the game and to save face a rude remark would go flying hard at the girl who dared turn her nose up a little too high at you.
But it was something on the lines of "you ain't all that anyway", a small measure to save face in front of your boys, who wouldn't hesitate to let you have it despite the fact that they too got shot down in other colorful forms.
That was about as far as it went though.
It was all part of growing up, boys figured out what worked and what didn't in the safety of their comrades and girls learned to be selective and to get tough.
My favorites were always the ones who had a slick mouth, shooting back comebacks as fast as I gave them.
It was all in fun then, when we were all feeling each other out.
That was then.
Somewhere between the 80's and 90's something changed drastically.
A cold blooded mean streak developed in some men, where women no longer became someone you won over but "something" you conquered.
It went from us getting with them into us vs them.
When women walk the street it is as if they are outsiders in who have to pay tribute before crossing into the territory that is man.
I to tell the truth have been completely oblivious to it, hell it has been awhile since I have seen it take place.
But by all accounts by women this goes on with the full gusto.
The topic has been brought up before by various bloggers with various degrees of effect on me.
Some of the writing and videos made me shake my head and wag my finger, shame on those bad men and just as quickly out of sight and out of my mind.
Others made me question the purpose of the video, as if it had a black male bashing agenda than an actual message of street harassment.
Either way I didn't get it, it didn't stick, it was something that happened "over there" so I had no reason to take it seriously, when I walk the streets with a woman I do not hear a sound, when i am not there I am not there.
That's how I felt about it till this old video popped up.......
This made me real uncomfortable because of the familiarity of the situation, this I understood completely better than any other public service video that was out there ranting against street harassment.
Reason why is because I have been in crowds like that, where packs of men would commit assault on women passing by.
Back in the 90's Atlanta had an event that started off as a quasi college spring break/roving block party.
It wasn't long before the name changed into Freaknik, a name to fit an event where men and women took flirting to extremes.
That was where I first saw a woman sexually assaulted, men surrounded a car where the girls were flashing them and proceeded to grope them through the window.
Things got out of hand quickly as the women went from laughing and teasing, to shock and fear at what was being done to them.
Windows were busted, the hood was dented in on their car, as men jumped on for a better view, a better reach.
The driver with fear in her eyes forced the car through the traffic and the crowd trying to make their escape.
I witnessed similar incidents like this all over the city during Freaknik, each year it got worse and the city finally had enough and did whatever they could to undermine the event, till it finally stopped.
But the truth was the cops didn't have to do a thing, women stopped feeling safe so they stopped coming.
It was as good as dead then.
Now this is an extreme version of street harassment, but it brought things into perspective, I understood that the catcalling was just a first step in the genesis of this behavior.
Now I am no psychologist or scholar that can explain how these actions by these men is a form of oppression against women.
How their assaults is a way to put fear in women's hearts and thus gain some type of control over them.
I can't break it down like that or understand it that way, I don't know that way.
But what I do know is thugs, Ive been surrounded by them all my life, I know how that mind works because my mind worked that way.
I understand this behavior for what it is, dominance, it is saying that no matter what you do, where you go, who you are with, you are beneath me.
You belong to me and I can do whatever I like to you no matter what.
You are my bitch in every definition of the term.
You can't get any simpler than that.
But I want you to remember that I used the word thugs to describe these men because those are the exact type of men who do this.
You see Freaknik didn't go to hell because of college boys with fast mouths and girls with short skirts, it went to hell the moment the men and women who didn't go to college showed up.
Older men and women who never went to college, but wanted to party, started showing up.
This was followed by teenagers skipping school to join in, then you had strippers, prostitutes, pimps, gang bangers, and drug dealers popping up looking to get paid.
It became a deviant gold rush, that's when thing got serious and very unsafe.
The reason I bring this up is that to solve a problem you have to address the cause, the disease if you will.
Let's be real here, women are not the problem, you can build up little girl's and women's self esteem all you want.
Have all the women rights organizations and girl gatherings you want, make all the videos, and blog all you want, scream to the high heavens about how bad these men are.
Tell yourself that you are in control of your life and you can do whatever you want.
But if men and particularly those type of men ain't listening then what?
If the "gold" standard of women, Michelle Obama, walked through that crowd of men in the above video she would have got groped like the rest of them.
Cause on the streets it is you and them.
That boys and girls is real.
The disease is not even black men but criminal black men, thugs, basic to poorly educated, lower working class to unemployed, men who grew up in neighborhoods where violence, crime and poverty were the norm.
Until those issues are addressed I don't believe street harassment is going anywhere, when you are at the bottom of the muck barrel of society you are going to look for anything or rather anyone to step on to make you feel that you are that much higher in the world.
And black women, no matter her status, is always seen as the stool for this purpose.
That's the way I see it, get men off the streets and you break the street mentality that is fed by their station in life and women can feel safer walking the streets than they do now, not much safer but safer nonetheless.
